6 Tips for Teaching Your Teen to Drive (Without Losing Your Mind)

So, your teen’s ready to get in the driver’s seat, and you're the chosen one to teach them. It is totally normal to get sweaty palms. After all, teaching someone to drive is a big deal! But don’t worry, you’ve got this. Your teen needs your guidance to develop safe driving habits, and with a little patience (okay, maybe a lot), you can help them get started on the right track.

Here are some practical, stress-reducing tips for parents teaching teens how to drive.

1. Take a Refresher Course (Trust Us, You’ll Need It)

Let’s face it—you’ve been driving for years, and some of the finer points of the rules of the road may have slipped through the cracks. In some states, like Connecticut, parents are even required to take a refresher course before teaching their teens. If that’s not the case where you live, no problem—there are plenty of free resources to help like Permit Practice Test.

Even a quick flip through your teen’s driving manual can do wonders. Not only will it help you feel more confident, but it’ll also ensure you’re giving them accurate, up-to-date advice.

2. Keep Your Cool (No, Seriously)

Teens are already nervous enough behind the wheel, and the last thing they need is a stressed-out, yelling parent in the passenger seat. Studies show that teens learn better from calm, composed teachers. So, take a deep breath, relax, and channel your inner zen master. Your vibe sets the tone for the lesson, and staying calm will help your teen feel more confident and focused.

3. Start Slow and Build Up Gradually

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your teen won’t be ready for rush-hour traffic on Day 1. Start in a quiet, empty parking lot where they can practice basics like braking, turning, and parking. Once they’ve got the hang of it, gradually introduce them to different environments like residential streets, busier roads, and eventually highways. Make sure to go at their pace and see to it that they’re fully comfortable before upping the difficulty.

4. Be a Role Model Behind the Wheel

Remember, your teen has been watching you drive for years, and they’ve picked up on both your good and bad habits. If you’re a bit of a lead-foot or prone to rolling through stop signs (no judgment), now’s the time to clean up your act. Narrate your driving decisions as you go, like, “I’m slowing down because I see a pedestrian ahead.” This helps them connect theory to practice and reinforces the importance of safe driving.

5. Slap a “New Driver” Sign on Your Car

No, it’s not just for laughs. A “New Driver” sign alerts other drivers that your car isn’t the one to tailgate or cut off. It gives your teen some breathing room and signals that they’re still learning. Bonus: it can make your teen feel a little less self-conscious knowing other drivers might be more patient.

6. Ban the Distractions

This one’s huge: no phones, no fiddling with the radio, no texting, and definitely no TikTok-ing behind the wheel. Establish a clear no-distraction policy before every lesson. If your teen wants music, have them prep a playlist beforehand, so they’re not scrolling through Spotify mid-drive. You must make sure that your teen’s entire focus is on the road.

Teaching your teen to drive is a mix of patience and good preparation. While it might feel overwhelming at first, remember that you’re helping them develop a lifelong skill. Stick to these tips, stay calm, and don’t forget to celebrate the small wins along the way. Before you know it, they will become safe and confident drivers (and you might even relax a little).